The Dance That Made Doja Cat a Star
#SaySo transformed Doja Cat from niche internet artist to mainstream pop phenomenon through a TikTok dance craze that eventually landed the song at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Origins
Originally released in November 2019 on the album Hot Pink, “Say So” gained little initial traction despite its disco-funk groove and catchy hook.
Haley Sharpe’s Dance
In February 2020, 18-year-old Haley Sharpe (@yodelinghaley) choreographed a dance to the song that went viral on TikTok. The #SaySoChallenge exploded, with millions of users learning the moves.
Chart Ascension
- Re-entered charts in January 2020
- Nicki Minaj remix released April 2020
- Hit #1 in May 2020 (Doja’s first chart-topper)
- Over 20 million TikTok videos created
Music Video
Doja Cat’s official music video, released February 2020, featured 70s disco aesthetics with rollerskating and retro fashion. A follow-up video included Haley Sharpe performing her choreography.
Grammy Recognition
Nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 63rd Grammy Awards (2021), cementing Doja Cat as a major force in pop music.
The success of “Say So” proved TikTok’s power to resurrect and catapult songs to unprecedented heights.
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